Apparatus for discreet carrying and rapid deployment of a firearm or the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon or the like employs a heavy duty shoulder strap and buckle, which have the appearance of conventional load-bearing structures, to rapidly close and open a weapon-concealing compartment without visibly manipulating any structure having the appearance of a closure or compartment, thereby preserving an element of surprise and tactical advantage in transition from general encounter to combat. Modular, hook-and-loop-assembled holster and ammunition clip pouch are hook-and-loop attachable to the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of luggage, bags and accessories for carrying personal items, more particularly to holsters and bags for carrying firearms, and especially to such where a firearm is to be carried inconspicuously and deployed reliably and rapidly.

2. General Background and State of the Art

Various previous art cases, shoulder bags and the like exist for carrying personal articles. These can be adapted for carrying a concealed weapon by, for example, providing a compartment which is large enough to carry the weapon and which has a closure oriented to be opened easily by the user. The present invention relates generally to such items.

INVENTION SUMMARY

Objects of the present invention include providing improved speed and surprise in the deployment of a weapon concealed in a carrying case such as, for example, an over-the-shoulder carrying case.

In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon or the like in accordance with the present invention comprises a main panel; a cover attached to the main panel, the cover and the main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and an attaching portion—a shoulder strap—adapted to support the cover and the main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like, the attaching portion being joined to the cover, the attaching portion being releaseably joined to the main panel, having a first configuration relative to the main panel wherein the the cover is in the closed configuration relative to the main panel and a second configuration relative to the main panel wherein the cover is in the open configuration relative to the main panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cover and the main panel are relatively movable to a fully open configuration in which the rear cover covers the user's thorax and the main panel covers the user's abdomen. The transition to the fully open configuration pivots the main panel downward relative to the cover and slides the attaching portion about the person or the like, thereby lifting the cover relative to the person or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attaching portion joins the cover in a manner frontally obscured when the attaching portion is joined to the main panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, a buckle releaseably joins the attaching portion to the main panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of zippers and a releaseable closure cooperate to provide enclosure for a weapon or the like when the apparatus is in the closed configuration.

In an exemplary embodiment having a buckle, the attaching portion and the buckle being manually manipulable to effect transition of the apparatus from the closed configuration to the open configuration without direct manipulation of the main portion and without direct manipulation of the cover.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attaching portion includes an over-the-shoulder-type strap having a first end joined to a first portion of the main panel, a second end joined to the cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of the main panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the strap between the intermediate portion and the second end may be long enough to to be slack when the apparatus is in said closed position while worn in an over-the-shoulder manner.

With reference to the previous art product, the inventor in this application for patent noted that a compartment of the previous art product is conventionally openable my means of a zipper or other easily operated closure to expose a firearm carried therein. To retrieve and deploy the firearm, the user reaches for the zipper or other closure, manipulates the closure to permit opening of the compartment, pulls the compartment open, and reaches for the firearm. In an encounter with a potentially dangerous individual, a user who is seen engaging in these behaviors might lose the element of surprise, allowing time for an adversary to react.

The inventor conceived of the requirement that to deploy a concealed firearm without engaging in behaviors that would alert an observer, two conditions should be satisfied. First, until the moment of deployment, the user's hands should be at rest non-threateningly in a place from which they can rapidly retrieve and deploy the firearm as soon as it is accessible. Second, in the transition from resting to the effective deployment of the firearm, very little time should elapse and very few movements should be observable.

In pursuit of a solution satisfying these conditions, the inventor redesigned both the closure of the apparatus and the strap system for supporting it. Instead of relying on a zipper or the like for releaseable closure of a weapon compartment, the inventor relied on a side release buckle to releaseably link the main panel to a loop formed in the shoulder strap near the second end of the shoulder strap and diverted and stitched the second end of the shoulder strap to the rear cover top right corner. Although two zippers complete the enclosure of a primary weapon between the rear cover and the main panel, these zippers are largely obscured by the main panel and they are not touched by the user's hands during deployment. Thus, in the present invention, the structures that cooperate to enclose the primary weapon are not recognizable as the type of structures conventionally expected for closing a compartment containing a weapon.

The top corners of the main panel extend a few centimeters upward and laterally, away from recognizable compartments on the front of the apparatus. From the top right corner, the side release buckle projects even farther away, and the second end of the shoulder strap farther still. At this distance, these structures are not likely to be seen as being associated with a compartment.

Large side release buckles are very commonly used to suspend heavy loads and rarely used to for closing small compartments. Thus, the large side release buckle is not likely to be perceived as a compartment closure. Finally, because the side release buckle and the shoulder strap are large and sturdy, they provide comfortable resting places for the user to rest his or her hands non-threateningly while assessing the situation. If deployment is desired, the user's left hand releases the side release buckle and pulls the main panel top right corner downward while the user's right hand pulls the buckle upper part and shoulder strap upward. The main panel unzips and peels away from the rear cover. The user's right hand reaches leftward and withdraws the firearm. This entire series of actions can be performed in less than two seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for carrying in accordance with the present invention with the buckle engaged;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user, the apparatus being in a closed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user, the apparatus being in a closed configuration;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user holding the apparatus inverted;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the buckle released;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user, the apparatus being in a partially open configuration;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view thereof shown being worn by a user, the apparatus being in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, taken rearward from the front, of a holster of the present invention laid open;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, taken frontward from the rear, of a holster of the present invention laid open;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, taken frontward from the rear, of a holster of the present invention laid open;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view, taken rearward from the front, of a holster of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is left side elevational view of an ammunition clip pouch strip and associated structures of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view of a pouch closure strip of the present invention isolated and flattened;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a rear elevational view thereof; and

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon or the like will now be described with reference to FIG. 1, which illustrates in perspective view a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for carrying in accordance with the present invention, shown generally at 20, having a main panel 22 with a main panel bottom edge 23, a main panel bottom left corner 25, a main panel bottom right corner 27, a main panel top left corner 24 and a main panel top right corner 26. Throughout, “left” and “right” are in the frame of reference of a person wearing and using the apparatus.

A front case portion 28 (facing forward, away from the wearer) is attached to the main panel 22 and is multiply compartmented and equipped for expandably carrying personal articles. More particularly, the front case portion 28 has a zipper-closed-slit-accessible first front compartment 72, a zipper-closed second front compartment 74, and a zipper-closed third front compartment 76. A flap 78 is shown covering the third front compartment 76. A zipper-closed-slit-accessible fourth front compartment 80 is formed in the flap 78. A front strap 82 adjustably connects the flap 78 to the main panel bottom edge 23 by means of single-adjust slide-release front buckle 84.

A primary weapon compartment wall 29 extends rearward from the main panel 22. A rear cover 30 (facing the wearer's body) has a rear cover right edge 40 reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a second zipper 42 (a first zipper 38 will be referenced later herein).

FIG. 2, a top plan view, shows the main panel 22, main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, front case portion 28, primary weapon compartment wall 29, rear cover 30, rear cover top right corner 44, and a first zipper 38. An adjustable-length shoulder-strap-type attaching portion (herein frequently termed “shoulder strap 50” for convenience) has a shoulder strap first end 52 permanently attached to the main panel top left corner 24 by means of a slide 54, and a shoulder strap second end 56 durably stitched to the rear cover top right corner 44 and also releaseably attached to the main panel top right corner 26 by means of a single-adjust side release buckle 58. The buckle 58 has a buckle lower part 60 (the “female” buckle portion, as it is referred to by buckle manufacturers) engaged by a short attaching loop 62 stitched to the main panel top right corner 26, and a buckle upper part 64 (the “male” buckle portion, as it is referred to by buckle manufacturers) releaseably engageable with the buckle lower part 60. The buckle upper part 64 has a buckle upper part slide 66 engaged by a short buckle upper part slide loop 67, length about 2.0 cm. The buckle upper part slide loop 67 is formed by diverting about 4.5 cm of the shoulder strap 50 through the buckle upper part slide 66 and closing the upper part slide loop 67 with a stitch line 68; this is how the shoulder strap 50 is releaseably attached to the main panel top right corner 26. The buckle lower part 60 has a manually operable release 70.

FIG. 3, a bottom plan view, shows the main panel 22, the main panel bottom edge 23, the main panel bottom left corner 25, and the main panel bottom right corner 27. Also shown is the front case portion 28, including the first front compartment 72, the second front compartment 74, the third front compartment 76, the flap 78, the front buckle 84, and the front strap 82.

FIG. 4, a rear elevational view, shows the main panel 22, main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, main panel bottom edge 23, main panel bottom left corner 25, and main panel bottom right corner 27. Also shown are the shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap first end 52, and the slide 54 attached to the main panel top left corner 24. The shoulder strap second end 56 is seen attached to the rear cover top right corner 44. Also shown is the stitch line 68. Partly obscured by the shoulder strap 50 are the buckle lower part 60, buckle upper part 64, buckler upper part slide 66, and release 70. Also shown are the rear cover 30, a rear cover bottom edge, the primary weapon compartment wall 29; rear cover left edge 34 and rear cover top edge 36 both reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a first zipper 38; and rear cover right edge 40 reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a second zipper 42. A windowed rear pocket 86 is formed on the outside of the rear cover 30.

FIG. 5, a front elevational view of the apparatus as worn by a user, shows the main panel 22, main panel bottom edge 23, main panel bottom left corner 25, main panel bottom right corner 27, main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, front case portion 28, first front compartment 72, second front compartment 74, third front compartment 76, flap 78, fourth front compartment 80, front strap 82, front buckle 84, shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap first end 52, slide 54, single-adjust side release buckle 58, buckle lower part 60, attaching loop 62, buckle upper part 64, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part slide loop 67, stitch line 68, and release 70.

FIG. 6, a right side elevational view looking rightward from a viewpoint to the left of the user, shows the main panel 22, main panel bottom left corner 25, main panel top left corner 24, and the front case portion 28 including first front compartment 72, second front compartment 74, third front compartment 76, flap 78, fourth front compartment 80, front strap 82, front buckle 84. Also shown are the shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap first end 52, slide 54, single-adjust side release buckle 58, buckle lower part 60, buckle upper part 64, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part slide loop 67, stitch line 68, and release 70. Also shown are the rear cover 30, rear cover left edge 34, first zipper 38, and primary weapon compartment wall 29.

FIG. 7, a left side elevational view looking leftward from a viewpoint to the right of the user, shows the main panel 22, main panel bottom right corner 27, main panel top right corner 26, and the front case portion 28 including first front compartment 72, second front compartment 74, third front compartment 76, flap 78, fourth front compartment 80, front strap 82, front buckle 84. Also shown are the shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap second end 56, single-adjust side release buckle 58, buckle lower part 60, buckle upper part 64, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part slide loop 67, stitch line 68, and release 70. Also shown are the rear cover 30, rear cover left edge 34, first zipper 42, and primary weapon compartment wall 29.

FIG. 8, a front view of the apparatus held inverted by the user, shows the main panel 22, main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, main panel bottom edge 23, main panel bottom left corner 25, and main panel bottom right corner 27. Also shown are the shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap first end 52, shoulder strap second end 56, rear cover 30, a rear cover bottom edge, the primary weapon compartment wall 29; rear cover left edge 34 and rear cover top edge 36 both reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a first zipper 38; and rear cover right edge 40 reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a second zipper 42. A windowed rear pocket 86 is formed on the outside of the rear cover 30.

FIG. 9, a perspective view of the apparatus, shows the main panel 22, main panel bottom edge 23, main panel bottom left corner 25, main panel bottom right corner 27, main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, front case portion 28, first front compartment 72, second front compartment 74, third front compartment 76, flap 78, fourth front compartment 80, front strap 82, front buckle 84, shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap first end 52, slide 54, and a shoulder strap second end 56, single-adjust side release buckle 58, buckle lower part 60, attaching loop 62, buckle upper part 64, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part slide loop 67, stitch line 68, and release 70. Also shown are the rear cover 30, rear cover right edge 40, second zipper 42, and primary weapon compartment wall 29.

FIG. 10, a left side elevational view looking leftward from a viewpoint to the right of the user, shows the apparatus in a partially open configuration with main panel 22, main panel bottom right corner 27, main panel top right corner 26, and a very limited view of the front case portion 28 including the front strap 82 and front buckle 84. Also shown are the shoulder strap 50, shoulder strap second end 56, single-adjust side release buckle 58, buckle lower part 60, buckle upper part 64, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part slide loop 67, stitch line 68, and release 70. Also shown are the rear cover 30, rear cover right edge 40, first zipper 38, second zipper 42, and primary weapon compartment wall 29. The first zipper 38 and the second zipper 42 are shown peeled open enough to expose a tri-panel hook-and-loop type fastener, more particularly a loop material patch 88, to which is shown attached an ammunition clip pouch strip 94, pouch closure strip 96, and pouch front loop material patch 98.

FIG. 11, a front elevational view of the apparatus in a fully open configuration, shows the shoulder strap 50, buckle upper part slide loop 67, buckle upper part slide 66, buckle upper part 64, shoulder strap second end 56, rear cover top right corner 44, rear cover left edge 34, first zipper 38, rear cover right edge 40, second zipper 42, rear cover bottom edge 32, main panel bottom edge 23, and main panel bottom left corner 25. Also shown are the loop material patch 88, to which is attached holster 48 having a weapon-encircling holster band 90 and a loop-material-adherent holster strip 92. The main panel 22 is shown, with main panel top left corner 24, main panel top right corner 26, first zipper 38, second zipper 42, primary weapon compartment wall 29, and loop material patch 88, to which is attached ammunition clip pouch strip 94 with which are associated pouch closure strip 96, pouch front loop material patch 98.

FIGS. 12-15 pertain to the holster 48. With reference to FIG. 12, a front elevational view of the holster 48, holster band 90 has a distal holster band loop material patch 108 and is sewn at a substantially right angle to a holster strip 92. With reference to FIG. 13, a rear elevational view of the holster 48, the holster band 90 also has a distal holster band hook material patch 106. The holster strip 92 has a holster strip hook material patch 102. With reference to FIG. 14, a perspective view from the rear of the holster 48, the holster band 90 is shown wrapped around the front of the holster strip 92, the holster band loop material patch 108 (not drawn in this figure) facing forward, ready to engage the holster strip hook material patch 102. The holster band hook material patch 106 faces rearward, ready to engage the forward-facing loop material patch 88 located on the rear cover 30 (see, e.g., FIG. 11). With reference again to FIG. 13, the holster strip hook material patch 102 also faces rearward, ready to engage the forward-facing loop material patch 88 located on the rear cover 30 (see other figures). With reference to FIG. 15, a perspective view from the rear of the holster 48, the holster band 90 is shown wrapped around the front of the holster strip 92.

FIGS. 16-25 pertain to the ammunition clip pouch strip 94 and pouch closure strip 96, here described in a local frame of reference with “rearward” meaning facing toward whatever surface the clip pouch strip 94 is to be attached to and “frontward” meaning the direction in which the pouch closure strip 96 is operable. With reference to FIG. 16, a left side elevational view looking from the right in this local frame of reference, the clip pouch strip 94 has a rearward-facing clip pouch strip hook material patch 118 and a frontward-facing clip pouch 112 having a pouch lip 110 and a frontward-located, frontward-facing clip pouch loop material patch 99. The pouch closure strip 96 has a frontward-facing closure strip loop material patch 116, which is shown proximate the clip pouch strip hook material patch 118 ready for engagement therewith. The pouch closure strip 96 is shown brought up, over the pouch lip 110, and down frontward of the clip pouch 112 and has a closing hook material patch 98 facing rearward engaged with the clip pouch loop material patch 99. The pouch closure strip 96 also has a rearward-facing closure strip hook material patch 120 which, along with the rearward-facing clip pouch strip hook material patch 118, is ready to engage the loop material patch 88 located on the main panel as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 17, a front elevational view, shows pouch closure strip 96 passing over the pouch lip 110 and in front of the clip pouch 112 with the closing hook material patch 98 and the clip pouch loop material patch 99 both drawn in dotted lines to indicate their occlusion by the pouch closure strip 96. FIG. 18, a rear elevational view, shows the clip pouch strip 94, clip pouch strip hook material patch 118. The pouch closure strip 96 is shown with closure strip hook material patch 120. FIG. 19, a top plan view, shows the clip pouch strip 94 with the pouch lip 110. Also shown is the pouch closure strip 96 with closure strip hook material patch 120.

FIG. 20, a rear elevational view of the pouch closure strip 96 isolated in a flattened configuration, shows the closure strip hook material patch 120 and the closing hook material patch 98. FIG. 21, a front elevational view of the pouch closure strip 96 isolated in a flattened configuration, shows the closure strip loop material patch 116 and the closing hook material patch 98. FIG. 22, a left side elevational view of the clip pouch strip 94, shows the clip pouch strip hook material patch 118, the clip pouch 112, the pouch lip 110, and the clip pouch loop material patch 99. FIG. 23, a front elevational view, shows the clip pouch strip 94, the clip pouch 112, the pouch lip 110, and the clip pouch loop material patch 99. FIG. 24, a rear elevational view of the clip pouch strip 94, show the clip pouch strip hook material patch 118. FIG. 25, a bottom plan view, shows the clip pouch strip 94, clip pouch strip hook material patch 118, lip pouch 112, and the clip pouch loop material patch 99.

With reference to the drawing figures generally, the apparatus is constructed of CORDURA® brand 1000 polyester, nylon or other durable, flexible fabric sewn together. The main panel 22, rear cover 30, and one or more compartments of the front case portion 28 are reinforced where attached to the shoulder strap 50 and are lightly stiffened, padded, or both, as may be desired, by the insertion of sheet or foam material and, optionally, by ballistic shields incorporating, for example, aramid, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, epoxy, carbon fiber, glass fiber, metalloceramic, or metallic materials. The first zipper 38 and second zipper 42 are size #10; other zippers, size #8, obtained from YKK Group of Japan or other suitable source. The slides and buckles can be sizes in the range #20, #25, #38, and #50. The shoulder strap 50 has a width of about 5 cm.

With reference to the first 11 figures and more particularly to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 10 and 11, a primary weapon compartment wall 29 extends rearward from the main panel 22 and encloses an area thereof delineated from the main panel bottom right corner 27, where the primary weapon compartment wall 29 does not extend any appreciable distance rearward from the main panel 22, upward proximate the main panel top right corner 26, where the primary weapon compartment wall 29 extends rearward approximately 2.5 cm, leftward to the main panel top left corner 24 (still extending rearward about 2.5 cm), and downward to the main panel bottom left corner 25 (there, as on the right, extending essentially not at all rearward).

A rear cover 30 (facing the wearer's body) has a rear cover bottom edge 32 attached to the main panel 22 proximate the main panel bottom edge 23, a rear cover left edge 34 and rear cover top edge 36 both reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a first zipper 38, a rear cover right edge 40 reversibly joinable to the primary weapon compartment wall 29 by means of a second zipper 42, and a reinforced rear cover top right corner 44. The rear cover 30 cooperates with the primary weapon compartment wall 29 and the main panel 22 to enclose a primary weapon such as a large bore semiautomatic combat pistol and a store of ammunition. The rear cover 30 has a forward-facing inner surface 46 (see FIG. 11) to which is attached a holster 48 suitable for carrying a firearm, especially a pistol, oriented with the muzzle pointed downward and the handle projecting toward the user's right.

A user carries the embodiment now being described by draping the shoulder strap 50 over his or her right shoulder and positioning the main panel 22 and the structures associated therewith adjacent the left side of his or her torso under his or her left arm. It will be appreciated that a generally mirror-imaged alternative embodiment is easily made for a user preferring to carry the apparatus on the opposite side.

Importantly, when a user wears the apparatus in the manner described above with the buckle 58 engaged, the load of the main panel top right corner 26 is carried through the buckle 58, the buckle upper part slide 66, and the buckle upper part slide loop 67 into the shoulder strap 50. Under these conditions, the shoulder strap 50 is slack from the stitch line 68 to the rear cover top right corner 44, having about 1.5 cm excess length. The apparatus is in what shall be referred to as the closed configuration.

In an encounter with individuals perceived to be dangerous, the user may rest his or her left hand on the main panel top right corner 26 with the fingers and thumb of the left hand located to be able to release the buckle 58, and rest his or her right hand on the shoulder strap 50 near the buckle upper part 64. So positioned, the user's hands appear to be resting comfortably on a peripheral or supporting portion of the apparatus and not unzipping or reaching into any compartment thereof.

To deploy the firearm, the user squeezes the release 70 of the buckle 58 with the left thumb and fingers and pulls the main panel top right corner 26 downward. When the user releases the buckle 58, the main panel top right corner 26 is momentarily unsupported and descends a few centimeters until the slack in the shoulder strap 50 between the stitch line 68 and the rear corner top right corner is taken up. Thenceforth, the load is carried from the rear cover top right corner 44 directly through the shoulder strap 50. As the buckle lower part 60 descends and the load is no longer carried through the upper part slide loop 67, the buckle upper portion is lifted and rotated upward and held clear of the buckle lower portion. As long as the user continues to pull the main panel top right corner 26 downward, the first zipper 38 and the second zipper 42 continue to open and the main panel 22 peels away from the rear cover, pivoting forward and eventually downward about the main panel bottom edge 23. Peeled open enough for retrieval of the weapon, or being partly pivoted, the apparatus is in what shall be referred to as a partially open configuration.

The rear cover 30 supports the holstered firearm, which is now exposed and near the user's torso somewhat left of center. The user grasps the firearm with his or her right hand, withdraws the firearm from the holster 48, and proceeds with such deployment and engagement as are called for.

The main panel 22 has a main panel rear surface 47 (See FIG. 11) which faces rearward and is covered when the apparatus is in the closed configuration. Attached to this main panel rear surface 47 are a plurality of ammunition clip pouch strips 94 which are equipped to contain ammunition clips. The user may reach down with his or her left hand, withdraw a clip, and reload the firearm, which is held in the right hand.

As long as the user continues to pull the main panel top right corner 26 downward, the main panel 22 will continue to pivot downward until it hangs upside-down from the rear cover bottom edge 32. The apparatus is then in what shall be referred to as the fully open configuration. As the main panel 22 pivots downward to the fully open position, the main panel top left corner 24 travels to a location more distant from the user's neck, over which the shoulder strap 50 is draped. Consequently, the shoulder strap 50 slides leftward around the back of user's neck and upward toward the user's right shoulder, pulling the rear cover top right corner 44 upward. This causes the rear cover to ascend and to lift the main panel 22. As the apparatus achieves the fully open configuration, the rear cover is located in front of the user's sternum and upper chest slightly left of center and the main panel 22 is approximately centered over the user's abdomen. In an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for carrying in accordance with the present invention, the rear cover and the main panel 22 include a ballistic material which is intended to diminish the likelihood and severity of injury which might result from gunshots incoming toward the user's thorax and abdomen.

With reference to FIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for carrying in accordance with the present invention, the rear cover 30 has a windowed compartment 86. The user may secure law enforcement identification badge or card or a concealed weapon permit in the windowed compartment, orienting the permit upside-down. If the user is interviewed by a law enforcement officer, the user may, without opening or reaching into any compartment of the apparatus, lift and invert the apparatus, displaying the permit facing forward and oriented upright for inspection.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, in an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the second front compartment 74 is equipped with a hook-and-loop-attachable holster (such as the holster 48 of FIG. 11) and clip pouch strips 94 and associated structure (also see FIG. 11) for carrying a secondary weapon and ammunition.

As can be seen from the drawing figures and from the description, each embodiment of the apparatus for carrying in accordance with the present invention solves a problem by addressing the need for discreet concealed transport and reliable rapid deployment of a weapon.

While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing description, if various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure, this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims, and such other claims as may later be added, are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon, comprising: a main panel; a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like, said attaching portion being joined to said cover, said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel; said attaching portion including an over-the-shoulder-type strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel; said cover and said main panel being relatively movable to a fully open configuration in which said rear cover covers the user's thorax and said main panel covers the user's abdomen; said main panel and said cover each incorporating a panel of a ballistic material.
 11. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said second portion of said main panel extends upwardly and laterally, at least partially frontally obscuring said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion.
 12. Apparatus for discreet transport and rapid deployment of a weapon, comprising: a main panel; a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like, said attaching portion being joined to said cover, said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel; said attaching portion including a strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel; said second portion of said main panel extending to at least partially frontally obscure said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion.
 13. A method of discreetly transporting and rapidly deploying a personally carried weapon, having the steps of: providing a main panel; providing a cover attached to said main panel, said cover and said main panel having one relative to the other a closed configuration providing concealment of the carried item and an open configuration permitting retrieval of the carried item; and providing an attaching portion adapted to support said cover and said main panel on a person, animal, vehicle, or the like, said attaching portion being joined to said cover, said attaching portion being releaseably joined to said main panel, having a first configuration relative to said main panel wherein said said cover is in said closed configuration relative to said main panel and a second configuration relative to said main panel wherein said cover is in said open configuration relative to said main panel; said attaching portion including an over-the-shoulder-type strap having a first end joined to a first portion of said main panel, a second end joined to said cover, and an intermediate portion releaseably joined to a second portion of said main panel; said cover and said main panel being relatively movable to a fully open configuration in which said rear cover covers the user's thorax and said main panel covers the user's abdomen; said main panel and said cover each incorporating a panel of a ballistic material; wearing the aforementioned structure with said strap-type attaching portion draped over a shoulder of the user; securing a weapon between said main panel and said cover and carrying said weapon with said cover closed relative to said main panel and said intermediate portion of said attaching portion releaseably joined to said second portion of said main panel; detaching said intermediate portion from said second portion of said main panel; with a first hand, pulling said main panel downward and away from the user's body while with a second hand pulling said intermediate portion and said second end of said attaching portion upward until said main panel opens relative to said cover; and with the second hand, retrieving the weapon while allowing said main panel to hang from said cover, said main panel covering a portion the user's abdomen while said cover covers a portion of the user's thorax.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said second portion of said main panel extends to at least partially frontally obscure said second end of said attaching portion when said intermediate portion of said attaching portion is attached to said second portion, the method including the step, before said step of detaching, a step of the user gently grasping said intermediate portion of said attaching portion with the user's first hand.
 15. Apparatus of claim 10, said cover having a rear-facing surface in which is formed a transparent-windowed pocket.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein said cover has a rear-facing surface in which is formed a transparent-windowed pocket, the method further including a step of inverting the apparatus while carrying same, said pocket and contents thereof then being displayed forwardly. 